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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-25-2003 11:03 PM

lust4speed

As you are probably aware, stock Pontiac engines use the flywheel as part of the internal balancing. Therefore, stock flywheels (and flexplates) are manufactured with an imbalance built in to them to equal out missing internal balance. This means that you can throw away a damaged flexplate and run down and purchase a new one and things will be great when you install it "as-is".

As you get up into higher horsepower rebuilds, one of the practices is to internally balance the engine with heavy metal to a "zero balance" state. You then also zero balance the flexplate since the imbalance is no longer needed, and it would actually do harm if not corrected.

So what it comes down to, is if they have retained the Pontiac balance, you could just pick up a new flywheel and install it. If they have zero balanced the engine, you would do grave damage to the engine by not having it zero balanced also.

11-25-2003 09:32 PM

bud-23

Just make sure the balancer is the same weight on the other end.

11-25-2003 08:42 PM

4 Jaw Chuck

As long as it's the correct flywheel and it isn't cracked forget about balancing it...throw it on and don't worry about it. You'll never notice the difference.

11-25-2003 08:02 PM

nomis30

Flywheel balancing?

Ok, my pontiac 400 is ready to come home from the engine shop except for one small detail.... the flywheel. My 68 GTO currently has a 455 in her and I am putting the original 400 back under the hood. I dont have the time this month (or next) to pull the old flywheel out of the 455. Now to my question

How important is balancing the flywheel in respect to the engine? Should I wait and just put the old flywheel on later without balancing it? Should I buy a new flywheel and just have it put on and balanced? Does it even make a difference to have it balanced or not. Would I be wasting my money on a new flywheel? Need some advice soon as the shop wants money and space to get my engine out of there. They wont hold it for another month waiting for me to bring them the old flywheel so they suggested buying a new one and balancing hence getting their money and my engine outta there.